DEAR DR. ROACH: In 2003, my husband had a “mild” heart attack and had one stent put in. He was put on Plavix, Lipitor and one regular-strength aspirin a day. We used to walk a few times a week for exercise. The past year or so, his leg muscles have been hurting. He told his […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please discuss the benefit of exercise for treatment of Parkinson’s disease. I am a 78-year-old woman who was diagnosed with PD in March and given a prescription for carbidopa/levodopa. A second opinion in June confirmed the diagnosis, but I am reluctant to start taking the meds. I work out on a recumbent […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 77, and my doctor tells me I’m in very good health. My PSA level is high. The level has gone from 11 last June to 17 in December, and now 21. I don’t have any symptoms. The doctor wants me to have a biopsy. What do you think? I don’t want […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please help me! I’m being shunned by family and friends because I have poison ivy, and they are afraid they will “catch” it. I’ve tried to educate them, but they insist I’m contagious. Will you please let people know once and for all (or at least for this season, since some will […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. I read that a hand brace can help with this. Does it really work? Does anything else (besides rest)? — K.R. ANSWER: The carpal tunnel is an anatomic space inside the wrist. The median nerve runs through this space, and provides sensation to the thumb, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My youngest daughter gave birth this past Friday to a baby girl. She was supposed to leave the hospital today, but her blood pressure is very high and they say she has postpartum pre-eclampsia. I’m very worried. They are keeping her in the hospital for another day. The baby is fine, but […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Why has the physical exam all but disappeared from a doctor’s visit? When I go to a doctor, I am lucky to have my lungs and heart listened to with a stethoscope. I cannot remember when a physician has felt my abdomen, listened to my chest, felt my lymph nodes, felt for […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband was hospitalized with congestive heart failure. He returned home, grew weaker, and after three days was diagnosed with severe dehydration and passed away the following day. How can that happen so quickly? Can medication be a factor? Please explain how the body organs are affected by severe dehydration. — M.M. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Since January, I have had gout in my right big toe five times. I have been treated by an internist, and was given methylprednisolone (4-mg dose packs) five times. The medicine works only to the point of getting rid of the worst of it, but it comes right back — sometimes one […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you be kind enough to give me your opinion on colonoscopy? I last had one done three years ago, and there were no problems. I am approaching 87 years, and am enjoying good health. I have heard pros and cons of colonoscopy at my age. —A.L. ANSWER: Colonoscopy is probably the […]